THE CAMBRIDGE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF THE ROMAN WORLD

In this new history, archaeologists, classicists and historians present a vision of the world's most famous imperial power based on the most up-to-date research and discoveries. Chapters and box-features present gripping accounts of Roman history and literature and deal with themes ranging from medicine to warfare. They are supported by a rich set of illustrations of sites, monuments and works of art from across the Empire. Read together, these constitute an excellent overview of a civilisation permeated by its imperial role, and of the colossal costs as well as the gains of empire. 

For anyone with a serious interest in the Roman world, this is the book to get. SUNDAY TELEGRAPH